Vickey “Soul Train” McKinnon, 67, of Crystal River, is struggling to make ends meet on her fixed income. She relies on Social Security and helps out at the Daystar Life Center of Citrus County’s thrift store to get by. McKinnon is also navigating homelessness.
“They call me ‘Soul Train,’” she said with a smile. McKinnon arrives for her shift at the Daystar Thrift Store in Crystal River with a rhythm all her own. In her bright blue Daystar shirt, hair pulled into a short ponytail stacked high, headphones setting the tempo for each step across the parking lot, McKinnon is hard to miss. She moves between the racks of clothes and shelves of donated goods, helping customers, dancing when the mood hits.
Each month, the calls come later than they should to the Mid Florida Homeless Coalition. They come after the savings are gone, after the insurance runs out, after the options have narrowed to almost nothing. “They wait until the very last moment,” said Barbara Venditto, CEO of the Mid Florida Homeless Coalition. “It’s a point of pride. It’s admitting that you failed, and they will do everything they can to avoid that.”
The issue of seniors facing housing instability is a growing concern in Citrus County and across the nation. Many seniors are forced to choose between paying for medical care or rent, leading to a crisis of housing instability. According to Venditto, the coalition is working to provide support and resources to seniors in need.
McKinnon’s story is just one example of the struggles many seniors face. Despite her challenges, she remains optimistic, saying “I’m still making it.” She adds, almost as a mantra: “Stay happy.”
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Crystal River
